Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) movie backdrop
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) movie poster
201492 minDocumentary
Audience VerdictAVERAGE
Box Office ClassStandard

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Movie Hit or Flop?

HIT

Verdict:Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.

With a rating of 6.5/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Documentary genre.

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Worth Watching?

Answer: Yes, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies.

It features a runtime of 92 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

6.535 votes
92Minutes
2014Release Year
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Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Review

Last updated: January 11, 2026

🎬 The Premise

Released in 2014, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles enters the Documentary genre with a narrative focused on The extraordinary life of Orson Welles (1915-85), an enigma of Hollywood, an irreducible independent creator: a musical prodigy, an excellent painter, a master of theater and radio, a modern Shakespeare, a magician who was always searching for a new trick to surprise his audience, a romantic and legendary figure who lived only for cinema. Under the direction of Chuck Workman, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.

🎭 Cast & Performance

The film is anchored by performances from Simon Callow. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.

🎥 Technical Mastery & Style

From a technical standpoint, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.

🌍 Social Impact & Cultural Context

Beyond the narrative, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles resonates with current cultural themes in the Documentary space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.

📺 Where to Watch & Streaming Info

As of early 2026, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is available for streaming on Cohen Media Amazon Channel. For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Amazon Video roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.

📖 Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown

The plot of Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles centers on a unique premise within the Documentary landscape. The extraordinary life of Orson Welles (1915-85), an enigma of Hollywood, an irreducible independent creator: a musical prodigy, an excellent painter, a master of theater and radio, a modern Shakespeare, a magician who was always searching for a new trick to surprise his audience, a romantic and legendary figure who lived only for cinema. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2014 cinema will find fairly predictable.

💡 Ending Explained & Sequel Potential

The ending of Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.

📝 Final Editorial Verdict

Final verdict for Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014): with an audience rating of 6.5/10, the reception has been generally positive. It is a recommended for fans of Documentary cinema who appreciate attention to detail.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Box Office Collection

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $813,505
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Budget

The estimated production budget for Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is $813,505. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

Where to Watch Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

Cohen Media Amazon ChannelCohen Media Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TVApple TV
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TVApple TV
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

Parents Guide & Age Rating

PG-13
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Final Verdict

Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.5/10, and global collection metrics, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2014 cinematic year.

Official Trailer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles movie hit or flop?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles worth watching?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Documentary movies, but read reviews first.

Where can I watch Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles online?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is currently available for streaming on Cohen Media Amazon Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Cohen Media Amazon Channel depending on your region.

Explore More Verdicts

Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.5
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/magician-the-astonishing-life-and-work-of-orson-welles-298664" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.5</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles</div></div></a>

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People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles movie hit or flop?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles worth watching?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Documentary movies, but read reviews first.

Where can I watch Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles online?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is currently available for streaming on Cohen Media Amazon Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Cohen Media Amazon Channel depending on your region.

What is the story of Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a Documentary movie that follows: The extraordinary life of Orson Welles (1915-85), an enigma of Hollywood, an irreducible independent creator: a musical prodigy, an excellent painter, a master of theater and radio, a modern Shakespea...

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles family friendly?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is classified as Documentary. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.

What language is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles available in?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.

Synopsis

The extraordinary life of Orson Welles (1915-85), an enigma of Hollywood, an irreducible independent creator: a musical prodigy, an excellent painter, a master of theater and radio, a modern Shakespeare, a magician who was always searching for a new trick to surprise his audience, a romantic and legendary figure who lived only for cinema.

Critic Reviews

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